The United States officially ceased funding the media corporation “Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty” (RFE/RL) and the radio station “Voice of America”. The relevant announcement was published on the RFE/RL website, confirming the receipt of an official notification about the termination of state funding.
Why is the US ending the funding?
The reason for this decision was an executive order signed by then-U.S. President Donald Trump on March 14. The document involves cutting the funding of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees the activities of “Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty” and “Voice of America”.
Immediately after this, it was revealed that USAGM sent a letter notifying about the termination of a grant previously approved by the U.S. Congress. This grant provided financial support to independent media.
Elon Musk’s role in the funding decision
Interestingly, back in February, renowned entrepreneur Elon Musk publicly called for an end to the state funding of these resources, arguing the need to reduce government spending and increase the efficiency of government work. Musk has repeatedly criticized government intervention in media funding, stating that it could compromise the independence of journalism.
History of Radio Free Europe funding
Funding for Radio Free Europe has always been a subject of controversy. Until the 1970s, it was supported by the CIA, as U.S. law prohibited direct funding of private organizations from the U.S. budget. However, after this information became public, Congress passed changes allowing for direct allocation of funds through the federal budget.
What consequences will the funding termination have?
On one hand, this move could significantly complicate the operations of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America, which have traditionally played a crucial role in spreading democratic values and truthful information in countries with authoritarian regimes.
On the other hand, some experts claim that under the guise of independent journalism, these media resources could have been influencing the political situation in different countries, which caused dissatisfaction among part of the American establishment.
Currently, the future of these media remains uncertain, and their leadership is seeking new sources of funding.
